Chapter Three — The Senior Behind the Throne (Part II)
After leaving the Grand Queen's chamber,
Akajaya did not return to his room.
Instead, he walked toward the guest castle.
Two guards stood by the gate.
At the sight of him, they dropped to one knee.
Akajaya did not stop.
He didn't even glance at them —
just smiled faintly and kept walking.
At the castle door, the Head Butler bowed deeply.
Behind him, the two guards who had knelt began whispering.
> "I still can't believe it," one said.
"How can a human have that much strength?"
> "That's what I'm saying," the second whispered back.
"They say he defeated two hundred — no, four hundred — Rank Eight Martial Grandmasters. That's impossible!"
> "If that's true," the first muttered, "then at the very least, he's Rank Ten…"
> "No," the second said quietly. "He'd have to be Rank Eleven."
The Head Butler heard their murmuring and snapped,
> "Silence! Do your work!"
He wasn't sure what they were talking about —
but Akajaya heard every word.
He just smiled.
> "How may I serve you, my lord?" the butler asked.
> "Tell me where my guest is," Akajaya said.
> "The guest is on the second floor, right corner — inside the library," the butler replied.
> "That sounds just like him," Akajaya said.
"There's nowhere else he'd be. Send someone with goat's milk tea and coffee."
> "At once, my lord."
Akajaya walked to the library and stopped before the door.
He knocked once.
From inside, a voice came:
> "You're finally here, Akajaya."
> "Yes," Akajaya said as he entered. "But you weren't supposed to be here. Why did you come?"
Velkir looked up from the table.
> "It wasn't my choice," he said.
"I was sent here by the Organization. You can't blame me for that."
> "The Organization?" Akajaya's tone hardened.
"Was it an order from the Manager… or an Elder?"
Velkir's eyes darkened.
> "Neither," he said.
"It was an order from the Head."
The two men fell silent.
A heavy stillness filled the air.
Moments later, the Head Butler entered quietly, carrying a tray.
Before he could knock, Akajaya's voice came from inside:
> "Come in."
The butler placed the tea and coffee on the table, bowed, and left.
Akajaya watched Velkir.
> "So… you were sent to watch over me. Am I right?"
Velkir gave a faint smile.
> "You could say that."
Akajaya nodded slowly.
> "Then I'll see you tomorrow — at sunrise."
He turned and left the guest castle, walking back to his chambers.
It was around three in the morning.
The sun would rise at five-twenty.
He sat on his bed, legs crossed, eyes closed —
breathing steady, like a man meditating before battle.
At four-thirty, he stood.
When he opened the door, two maids were waiting —
one holding fresh clothes, the other carrying soaps, oils, and water.
They led him to the washing room.
By five, he was ready.
He walked toward the throne room, step by step,
until he stood before his throne again —
waiting for the sun to rise.
After me, the first to arrive was Velkir, then the Prime Minister.
One after another, all thirteen ministers entered.
I commanded
the guards:
> "Call every remaining captain —
every Rank Eight or higher martial artist.
No matter who he is… even the elders.
Bring them before me."